Barrett met Wayne's gaze, feeling an icy chill run down his spine as he saw the calculating glint in the latter's eyes.
The case involving Eleanor's rebellion wasn't even resolved yet, and now Harvey was trying to place someone by the king's side? Was he really as timid as he seemed? What exactly was he trying to do?
Barrett knew his own limits. He could never play double agent, especially not with Salvador. Having ten lives wouldn't be enough if he tried that.
He stood up immediately and respectfully said, "There's a matter at home that requires my attention. I must take my leave."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left.
Wayne stared after Barrett's retreating figure, his expression growing serious.
Had he misjudged? Did Barrett truly lack any ambition? Did he understand what it meant to be commander of the Crown Guard? That role meant he would be the king's most trusted personal guard, even more influential than a second-rank minister.
There was no way Barrett lacked ambition. Wayne had done his research before seeking him out. He had always dreamed of bringing honor to the Warren family—it was almost an obsession for his entire family. How could he possibly be content with mourning for three years like this?
Unless someone else had already approached him? His mourning paperwork had been filed—someone must have known. It wouldn't be surprising if someone had got to him first.
But lately, there had been eyes on him. After the New Year celebrations, Barrett hadn't gone anywhere other than the Capital Guard headquarters' training grounds. Because he was in mourning, he hadn't visited anyone, nor had he received visitors, with the exception of people from the Earl of Silverstone's family.
Could it be them? But that didn't make sense. Oliver was at the Southern Frontier, Caspian was useless, and the rest were women. How could they help Barrett?
Wayne thought it over. It was more likely that Barrett didn't trust Harvey's abilities. After all, these past years, the prince had been no better than a coward hiding away. But that was out of their hands.
He also couldn't approach Barrett using Yuvan's name or status. And as for the ministers Eleanor had tried to win over, none of them could be used now, as they had all retreated.
Sighing, Wayne recalled how he had advised Yuvan years ago to slowly take over Eleanor's network and to never let her hold all the cards herself. But the prince had insisted she wouldn't be suspected, and now, years of effort in the capital had been lost in an instant.
Now, besides Harvey and a couple of others they had recommended, there was no one else useful. That was why they had no choice but to take a risky move, sending Harvey to Westhaven to secure the cooperation.
What worried Yuvan now was that the queen dowager had sent someone to Hartstone Estate and discovered Harvey was no longer in the capital, yet no action had been taken against him.
Salvador thought for a moment, his gaze sharpening. "It seems they're losing patience. Keep an eye on Barrett."
-
At Hell Monarch Estate, Jacob looked at Rafael after receiving the report, saying, "Wayne disguised himself as someone else? Your Highness, it seems that man is good at disguises."
"Well, the meaning of his name is 'formless', so it's not a surprise he's good at taking the forms of others," Rafael replied with a dark look. "Do you think Barrett underestimates Harvey and his family, or is he just trying to avoid suspicion?"
"He probably thinks Prince Harvey can't help him, which is part of it. But even if they could help him, Commander Warren might be even more wary and keep his distance. The Warren family can't afford anymore trouble. I imagine his ambition has been tempered enough. Give him any respectable job and he'll throw himself into it. That's exactly the kind of person His Majesty wants," responded Jacob, who was good at reading people.
"He doesn't pose a big problem," Rafael said, then asked, "What about Westhaven? Any news?"
"Nothing yet."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Her Graceful War Song
What happens to the other chapters, I've been waiting to read more of this story, the character's and the screening are fantastic, very intriguing story...
Next chapter please, what's happening...
Very captivating novel....
Both content and context are very intriguing, the writer style of pulling out characters in their unique ways are profound,I have recommended this book because it's very captivating...